According to reports in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly received a direct, personal warning from United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed regarding a major Hamas operation two weeks prior to the October 7 terror attacks. The disclosures, built on dozens of sources, internal documents, and audio recordings, indicate that Netanyahu chose not to share this intelligence with the heads of the Shin Bet, Mossad, or the Israel Defense Forces.
Haaretz Revelations and the UAE Warning
The October 7 attack remains the deadliest assault in Israel’s history, marked by severe intelligence and security failures. While military and internal security services have investigated their own missteps—prompting top chiefs to take responsibility and resign—Prime Minister Netanyahu has faced persistent criticism for deflecting personal accountability. The recent reporting from Haaretz details how UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed directly reached out to Netanyahu to warn him that Hamas leadership was actively planning a large-scale offensive against Israel.
Prior intelligence failures included dismissed warnings from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who had threatened an “earthquake” and a “scary operation.” Netanyahu was briefed on those initial threats. However, the Haaretz investigation states that the subsequent warning from bin Zayed was kept strictly to the prime minister himself, bypassing top defense officials entirely.
Political Fallout and Denials from Netanyahu
Prime Minister Netanyahu has strongly rejected the Haaretz account, calling the allegations false and announcing plans to file a lawsuit against the newspaper. Despite these denials, other high-ranking political figures have stepped forward to challenge the prime minister’s version of events.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated to CNN that he possesses strong reasons to credit the reporting as accurate. Meanwhile, Naftali Bennett, a former minister in Netanyahu’s government with roots on the religious right, reported that bin Zayed personally confirmed the warning to him after the attacks occurred. These challenges arrive as Israel approaches a highly charged political election cycle, with Netanyahu fighting for his political survival amid ongoing public demands for an independent state commission of inquiry.
Did You Know? The Abraham Accords, established in 2020, established formal diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE. Despite regional tensions and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, this economic and technological partnership has largely endured, making the UAE one of Israel’s most critical regional allies.
The Significance of the Abraham Accords and Timing
Mohammed bin Zayed represents a cornerstone of normalization for Israel in the Middle East.
While Haaretz notes there is no certainty that sharing the UAE president’s warning would have prevented the disaster, the withheld information intensifies questions regarding preparedness and accountability at the highest levels of the Israeli government.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the UAE president allegedly warn Benjamin Netanyahu about?
According to Haaretz, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Netanyahu two weeks before October 7 that Hamas leadership was planning a major military operation against Israel.
Who was informed of the UAE warning?
The report claims that Netanyahu kept the warning to himself and did not brief the heads of Shin Bet, Mossad, or the Israel Defense Forces.
How has Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the report?
Netanyahu has denied that the conversation took place and has threatened legal action against Haaretz.
Have other Israeli politicians commented on the allegations?
Yes. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated he believes the report is accurate, and former minister Naftali Bennett confirmed he received independent verification of the warning from bin Zayed.
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